Vuelta Ciclista a España (Stage 17) - Cristián Rodriguez 12th provisional overall
On the line
“I’d never ridden the Angliru before – it’s demanding, very difficult with gradients of between 18 and 20%. I had good legs and a good feeling. I tried to climb steadily. I finished not far from the leaders. I gained one place in the overall classification. It was a short stage that wasn’t conducive to breakaways, so I’ll have to see over the next few days if there’s any chance of slipping in”.
“It was fast from the start, I wasn’t great at the beginning of the race and then it came back. I let go on the penultimate bump, it was too steep for me. I’m recovering well for my 1st Grand Tour and I don’t feel too tired. The Angliru? It’s steep, very steep, steeper than in the road book”.
The debrief’
“Cristián remains consistent, coming 14th at the top of the Angliru, and moving up one place in the overall classification this evening to 12th. He’s had a great Vuelta Ciclista a España. I’d also like to highlight Mathis Le Berre’s fine stage, who, as on the Tourmalet, rode a fine ascent of the Angliru. We’re into the third week of the race and he’s still going strong”.